In brief, the boom is caused by aircraft flying faster than sound and is actually a shock wave –  it is not a one-off bang, but rather it is continuous, trailing the aircraft. The boom occurs as the aircraft reaches the speed of sound, or Mach 1, relative to the surrounding air – not measured in ground speed. This is because the speed of sound changes with altitude and temperature. At sea level ( as per our area) and in standard atmospheric conditions, the speed of sound should be 1239 kph.

Sonic booms are known to be startling, often causing surprise or discomfort when they occur. Despite this, under normal circumstances sonic booms do not pose a physical risk to individuals. The sudden noise may be a nuisance, but it does not result in harm to human health.

Similarly, only exceptionally strong sonic booms, typically produced by large aircraft flying at low altitudes, have the potential to cause minor damage to buildings.

For communities, the primary concern regarding sonic booms is the disturbance caused by the noise. The intense sound can disrupt daily life and is generally considered unpopular among residents. This concern over noise disturbance, rather than safety, is why supersonic flights over land are typically prohibited.

Greece, in partnership with Israel have operated an International  military flight training school in Kalamata since 2021.  The training agreement remains subject to scrutiny amid ongoing concerns about its structure and implications. At the heart of the project is Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd, a major defense contractor chosen to implement and manage the training center under a 22-year contract valued at €1.85 billion (approximately $2 billion).